Giamatti has snagged a recurring role in the show as the first season’s main villain, who has a sinister connection to the past of one of the cadets.
This is what co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau had to say about the casting coup:
“Sometimes you’re lucky enough to discover that one of the greatest actors alive is also a huge ‘Star Trek’ fan, and meeting Paul was one of those miraculous moments for us. The sheer delight with which he dove in on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is only surpassed by the gratitude we feel about him joining our incredible cast.”
While most of the other character and story details are being kept behind a forcefield, we do know something of the show’s tone thanks to a previous comment by Landau:
“These are kids who’ve never had a red alert before. They never had to operate a transporter or be in a phaser fight.”
So, yes, lots of coming-of-age with high tech equipment appears likely with this one.
The sets being built for the new series apparently include featuring the largest contiguous one ever constructed for a ‘Star Trek’ series, a central academic atrium that will span two stories and include an amphitheater, classrooms, a mess hall, and an idyllic walkway lined with trees.
Holly Hunter will star as the Captain and Chancellor of the Academy set in the titular educational facility that trains crew and officers for the fleet.
Hunter’s Chancellor will be presiding over the faculty and the latest class of students to arrive at the academy.
Here’s Kurtzman and Landau on Hunter:
“It feels like we’ve spent our entire lives watching Holly Hunter be a stone-cold genius. To have her extraordinary authenticity, fearlessness, sense of humor, and across the board brilliance leading the charge on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is a gift to all of us, and to the enduring legacy of ‘Star Trek.’”
When will ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ be on screens?
While shooting is due to kick off later this summer in ‘Star Trek’s current TV production home of Toronto, Paramount+ has yet to confirm when it might appear on the streaming service.
(L to R) Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo: Pari Dukovic/Paramount+.
(L to R) Adam Rodriguez, Kirsten Vangsness and Zach Gilford talk ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez and Zach Gilford about their work on the new season of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’, returning for the first day of shooting, Gilford’s character’s new arc, Penelope and Tyler’s new working relationship, and Rodriguez and Gilford’s experience each directing an episode this season.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Vangsness, Rodriguez and Gilford, as well as Aisha Tyler, A.J. Cook and Ryan-James Hatanaka.
(L-R) Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
Moviefone: To begin with, Kirsten, in the first episode, there is a scene where all the characters are together at a party. Was it fun to do a scene like that, where you are not hunting a serial killer but just hanging out as a group? Was it too much fun? Did the director ever have to you remind you and the cast to stick to the script?
Kirsten Vangsness: It’s probably more than you’d think that they would have to. I mean, also we’ll just riff and then they get that. But it was a blast. I think it was our first day. Because we all love each other and we had twenty-eight different topics we’re covering and then you’re trying to run lines, and it’s all kind of bleeding in together. But when we do the roundtable, when we have all those crazy lines, if you came, it’s still like herding cats. Everybody knows their lines and we’re all kind of boom, boom, boom, because we’re all trying to get to the part where they say cut and we have a second to bulls**t.
(L to R) Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2 streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
MF: Adam, what is it like for you to return to this character and reunite with the rest of the cast?
Adam Rodriguez: The excitement of being back, the excitement of seeing each other, and catching up on things, I mean those days are a lot of fun for us. We must remind ourselves, be professional and pay attention to what we’re supposed to be doing.
Zach Gilford as Elias Jasper Voit in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2 streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
MF: Zach, last season your character was the serial killer the team was hunting, but this season he is helping them catch another killer, Hannibal Lector style. Can you talk about how Elias is working with BAU this season?
Zach Gilford: It’s been a blast. I mean, last season I barely got to interact with anyone in front of the camera. I got to know everyone well and had such a great time doing so. But this season it’s been so fun getting to just f**k with them and I am the bad guy. They all hate me and Elias’s approach to manipulating them is getting under their skin and they may give me a lot of leeway to go off script a little bit when I feel like I come up with something that I think will needle them a bit. So, it’s been fun, but really the most fun of it is getting to be there for the bulls**t between cut and hang out with all of them. It really is just such a great group of people.
(L to R) Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Ryan-James Hatanaka as Tyler Green, A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2 streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
MF: Kristen, now that Tyler has joined BAU, does that cause some anxiety for Penelope because of their past relationship? Can you talk about how she will deal with that this season?
Kirsten Vangsness: Honestly, the whole thing’s uncomfortable. As an actor you’re uncomfortable because it’s this uncomfortable thing. So, it’s fun to do and I think it’ll be fun to watch and then it is so uncomfortable that it gets to a point where you’re like, “How do we set up boundaries so that they’re not around each other?” It is something I think that the writers were like, “We don’t want to put people together because then you must deal with the reality of how awkward it is. You know what I mean? So, I think she’s just understandably ticked that her friends would, out of all the people in the world that are experts, not get that one. It’s just mean.
(L to R) Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and A.J. Cook as Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau in Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
MF: Adam, you are directing again this season. What is it like directing an episode of this series and working with your fellow cast members?
Adam Rodriguez: Everybody’s amazing. Amazingly supportive. Everybody shows up. Look, it’s very difficult for the writers and for the people that handle scheduling, the producers that are putting schedules together, the ADs to try and accommodate all of us to direct. It’s a huge undertaking for them, and we’re all grateful for the effort that goes into making that happen. I think everybody’s aware of the fact that we’re on a clock and because of that there is a pressure to get things done. So, everybody shows up incredibly well-prepared and ready to deliver, and we pick and choose our moments to have fun. We do have a lot of fun on the show. But everybody really puts the team first. Just to sum that up, no matter what it is that’s required of you as an individual, everybody’s always willing to give their best because we know it’s going to serve the team. The thing we want the most is to keep this show going because we love doing it.
(L to R) Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
MF: Finally, Zach, you are also directing an episode this season. What was that experience like for you?
Zach Gilford: This cast is, they’re the f**king best. Adam has been a bit of a mentor to me. We met before we went back to the season, he talked to me a lot throughout and then in my episode. I mean honestly, there were two points where Adam, I was just like, “Dude, thank God it’s Adam.” One was, there’s something where he had an instinct to do something, but it wasn’t the way the script went. I kind of liked it, but other people were like, “I don’t know. It’s just not the way we wrote it. It’s not the way we thought it was going to happen.” I was like, “Adam, I like it your way.” He is like, “Dude, you know what? Take your shot, man. If that’s what you want, you’re the director, go for it.” I was like, “All right, we’re going to do it that way.” It totally worked great. Then there was another point where Adam magically finds a box. This happens on the show, they had a piece of evidence and it just felt so convenient. I was like, “Adam, it’s going to feel awkward, but can you just search around this house for five minutes.” He did it and it played so well because he was like, “Cool, I’ll get it. It’s going to feel super awkward and silly to me.” But everybody’s so giving and gets how this show works.
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What is the plot of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2?
In the wake of last season’s shocking finale, the upcoming all-new season of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ picks up as the FBI’s elite team of profilers investigates the deadly mystery of Gold Star. As the conspiracy unfolds, the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is met with an unexpected complication when serial killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) negotiates a deal that transfers him to federal custody in the BAU’s own backyard. The team faces its biggest threat yet and cannot emerge unscathed from the mind-bending consequences.
Who is in the cast of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2?
(L to R) Joe Mantegna as David Rossi and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ season 2, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /Paramount+.
(Left) ‘Invasion’ series creator Simon Kinberg. (Right) Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, and Karl Urban in ‘Star Trek’ (2009). Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Simon Kinberg is reportedly boarding the ‘Star Trek’ movie franchise.
He’s going to be producing future entries.
Holly Hunter is the first person cast in series ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’.
While Paramount itself remains in something of a flux state –– with different buyers circling to make offers to buy the venerable studio and its associated TV network, streaming service and other properties –– it appears to be making moves on both the movie and TV front when it comes to hugely successful sci-fi franchise ‘Star Trek’.
First up, we have news on the ‘Trek’ movies and a notable new (potential) hire.
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What is happening with the new ‘Star Trek’ movie?
Chris Pine in 2009’s ‘Star Trek’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Paramount has seemingly had real trouble landing on a direction for its ‘Trek’ movie franchise. The TV side of things (more on that below) has been humming along nicely, but on the big screen, the movies have been mired in development limbo since ‘Star Trek Beyond’ opened to less-than-thrilling box office in 2016.
There have been various films announced or reported upon, including a return for Chris Pine’s Kirk and co. from J.J. Abrams’ “Kelvin” timeline movies, a one-off by Quentin Tarantino (which seems less likely to happen) and the more recent word of a prequel/origin story to be directed by ‘Andor’s Toby Haynes with a script by Seth Grahame-Smith.
Now, according to Puck’s ‘What I’m Hearing…’ newsletter, Simon Kinberg, a veteran producer of movies such as ‘The Martian’, some of the ‘X-Men‘ movies and the first two ‘Deadpool’ efforts (not to mention the likes of ‘Invasion’ on Apple TV+) is in talks to produce that new ‘Trek’ effort.
And if it all works out, the plan is apparently for Kinberg to take over the stewardship of the movie side of Trek, helping to shepherd future outings and presumably help to correct the course.
Following that, we have word that Holly Hunter will star as the Captain and Chancellor of Starfleet Academy set in the titular educational facility that trains crew and officers for the fleet.
Hunter’s Chancellor will be presiding over the faculty and the latest class of students to arrive at the academy.
This is what co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau said about casting Hunter to Variety:
“It feels like we’ve spent our entire lives watching Holly Hunter be a stone-cold genius. To have her extraordinary authenticity, fearlessness, sense of humor, and across the board brilliance leading the charge on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is a gift to all of us, and to the enduring legacy of ‘Star Trek.’”
What’s the story of ‘Starfleet Academy’?
1979’s ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
While most of the other character and story details are being kept behind a forcefield, we do know something of the show’s tone thanks to a previous comment by Landau:
“These are kids who’ve never had a red alert before. They never had to operate a transporter or be in a phaser fight.”
So, yes, lots of coming-of-age with high tech equipment appears likely with this one.
The sets being built for the new series apparently include featuring the largest contiguous one ever constructed for a ‘Star Trek’ series, a central academic atrium that will span two stories and include an amphitheater, classrooms, a mess hall, and an idyllic walkway lined with trees.
Production on the show is scheduled for later this summer in Toronto.
(L to R) Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto in ‘Star Trek’ (2009). Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Meet the new Plastics in the latest adaptation of the 2004 cult classic ‘Mean Girls.’ The updated version incorporates 13 songs from the Broadway show, a brand new cast, and the return of some fan favorites.
Based on Tina Fey’s adaptation screenplay of ‘Queen Bees and Wannabees,’ the 2004 film was later adapted for Broadway in 2018, earning 12 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and more.
Originally slated for a streaming release on Paramount+, the studio decided on a theatrical release for the film following positive test screenings. ‘Mean Girls’ held its premiere in New York City on January 8, 2024.
‘Mean Girls’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. Didn’t get to experience the musical movie in theaters? Don’t worry. As of February 20, 2024, the movie was available to rent for $19.99 or purchase for $26.99 on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Currently, various streaming platforms have the movie on sale for $5.99 to rent and $12.99, so if you’ve been wanting to see the movie, take advantage of this deal before it’s gone.
While ‘Mean Girls’ features a (mostly) brand new cast, there are a few return fan favorites and cameos. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows return to reprise their roles as Ms. Norbury and Mr. Duvall, respectively. Ashley Park (‘Joy Ride’) cameos as French teacher Madame Park in the film. Park originated the role of Gretchen Wieners on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
It is also worth mentioning that Reneé Rapp also played the role of Regina George on Broadway. In fact, the role marks the actress’ Broadway debut, who played Regina from 2019 to 2020 before it was shut down due to the pandemic.
Lindsay Lohan, the star of the original ‘Mean Girls’, also appears in the film as the Mathletes Moderator.
‘Mean Girls’ will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD on April 30th. A two-movie collection set will be available, with both the 2024 version and the original 2004 version. April 30th also marks the first time the original film will be released in 4K.
Watch the official trailers for ‘Mean Girls’ below:
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The official synopsis for ‘Mean Girls’ is below:
From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
(L to R) Lupita Nyong’o as “Samira” and Joseph Quinn as “Eric” in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Paramount revealed a lot of news on future movies at its CinemaCon Presentation.
Other movies highlighted included ‘Transformers One’ and ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’.
Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator 2’ provided the big finish.
Paramount had a solid if uninspiring 2023, including a disappointing result for the oft-delayed ‘Mission: Impossible –– Dead Reckoning Part 1’ (which suffered in competition, particularly for IMAX screens, against ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’). But’s best not to bet against Tom Cruise, who will no doubt be doing something to promote the next ‘Mission’ (odds are good we’ll learn the new title). Still, the more recent likes of ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ were reasons to be grateful, even as talk of the studio being up for sale continues to swirl.
Even before the presentation proper kicked off, there was news of new movies in the works. The studio is developing a reboot of the ‘Scary Movie’ spoof franchise to shoot this year for release next year via Paramount’s Miramax subsidiary.
And while a sequel to last year’s family friendly ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ is moving forward, the company also intends to go in a more grown-up direction with a new live-action ‘Turtles’ offering called ‘The Last Ronin’ that will adapt a dark comic book tale set in a totalitarian New York where Shredder’s grandson has employed artificial ninjas to slaughter all but one of the Turtles. The lone survivor swears vengeance. So… yes, definitely a less kid-centric take on the characters, and one that feels even closer to the black and white origins of the story. That one will be produced by former DC movie boss Walter Hamada, who has a multi-year deal with Paramount and ‘Boy Kills World’ writer Tyler Burton Smith is on script duty.
(L to R) April O’Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’
After a glitch with the opening reel (effectively a tour of the Paramount lot), the presentation commenced with another highlighting Paramount’s considerable movie history and spotlighting successes such as ‘Sonic’, ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘TMNT: Mutant Mayhem’.
And, as suspected, the world of ‘Gladiator’ is a focus, as Roman soldiers stride on to the stage to shepherd the executives. Will those who backed unsuccessful movies have to battle lions? Doubt it, but… would watch.
First up to tout two very different movies is one John Krasinski, who is appearing via video from London. He talks first about…
(L to R) Cailey Fleming and Blue star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘IF.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
As Krasinski (who wrote and directed this one) explains, ‘IF’ posits a world where everything kinds imagine is real –– and some imaginary friends are looking to find their humans again (or be connected with new ones).
It has Ryan Reynolds starring, a stacked celebrity voice cast and leans heavily into the Pixar style of movie making.
He cues up the final trailer for the film, which you can see here:
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‘IF’ is in theaters May 17th.
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Krasinski also mentioned ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’, but more on that later…
Paramount Presentation: Other News
The Bee Gees in ‘The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.’ Photo: HBO.
In between teases for this year’s releases, there were more news announcements, including confirmation of a ‘Transformers’ and ‘G.I. Joe’ crossover movie, Edgar Wright landing Glen Powell to star in his new take on Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’, Ridley Scott officially boarding the Bee Gees musical biopic and Damien Chazelle seemingly handed a second chance after the floptastic ‘Babylon’, getting ready to shoot his next movie this year for the studio, with a release planned for 2025.
Also touted? ‘South Park’ duo Trey Parker and Matt Stone are working on a new, live-action comedy musical with Kendrick Lamar, which will debut on July 4 next year.
With the title very much back in the public consciousness thanks to the Netflix live-action show, Paramount has the likes of Dave Bautista and Eric Nam lending their voices to what is currently title ‘Aang: The Last Airbender’, with Bautista playing a villain. The movie will be in theaters on October 10th next year.
In fact, lots of future slate info dropped, including that the next ‘Star Trek’ movie (whichever it might be from the various options) and the new, Seth MacFarlane produced ‘Naked Gun’ with Liam Neeson starring, will both also arrive next year.
Oh, and if you, like us, had “next Mission movie title announcement” on your bingo card, no scratching it off –– there was a mention of it, but zero footage and no word on title.
Following a video introduction from Johansson, Hemsworth (who, if we’re honest, was already in Vegas because of the Warners presentation) arrived on stage to talk up the film. He voices Optimus Prime, with Brian Tyree Henry (who joined him at the event) as Megatron.
From the looks of the footage, the tone is aiming for more of a family adventure style, leaning closer to comedy than the live-action/CG movies. And it’s an origin story for many of the characters we love, with Keegan-Michael Key voicing Bumblebee.
Along with a trailer, a first clip screened –– in 3D, no less –– to wide approval for its epic scale and comedy value.
(L to R) Lupita Nyong’o as “Samira” and Djimon Hounsou as “Henri” in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn were on hand to debut an extended trailer for the thriller prequel showing how the scary creatures first arrived and began to terrorize New York. As the previous trailer hinted, this one will see devastation, fear and, ultimately… quiet.
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ heads to theaters on June 28th.
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Given that Sonic and pals have become one of the biggest recent franchises for the studio (even extending to the upcoming ‘Knuckles’ series), it’s almost surprising how low key the talk of the new movie was.
The studio team just showed a trailer, which went heavily on Jim Carrey’s villainous, maniacal Dr. Robotnik and introduced Shadow the Hedgehog.
‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ is racing into theaters on December 20th.
Caitlin Stasey in Paramount Pictures Presents in Association with Paramount Players A Temple Hill Production ‘Smile.’
A follow-up to the 2022 horror sleeper hit, the new movie will see a Lady Gaga-esque pop star confronted by smile-affected people around a concert venue.
(Right) Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator.’
Sir Ridley Scott appears on screen from London (where he’s still finishing post-production on the movie), to hype his return to the world of ‘Gladiator’.
It might be unfinished, but that didn’t stop Scott unleashing a five-minute look at the movie.
“I remember that day. I never forgot it. That a slave could take revenge against an emperor,” says Paul Mescal’s Lucius. A boat battle is seen taking place in the Colosseum. Paul Mescal and other Gladiators fight vicious monkeys. “Rage is your gift,” Denzel Washington tells Mescal. Washington and Pedro Pascal watch on as Mescal fights a rhinoceros. The footage ends with a brutal fight between Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal.
Are we not entertained? Yes, we were entertained. Though animal rights activists and worried Pedro Pascal fans might think differently.
‘Gladiator II’ returns to the theatrical arena on November 22nd.
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Director John Krasinski on the set of Paramount Pictures’ ‘IF.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Liev Schreiber as Raymond “Ray” Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan.’ Photo: Showtime.
Preview:
Guy Ritchie is aboard a ‘Ray Donovan’ spin-off series.
The new series will be loosely based on the Live Schreiber show.
‘Top Boy’ creator Ronan Bennett will write all initial 10 episodes.
Though it will only launch on Netflix next week, Guy Ritchie’s series ‘The Gentleman’, which the writer/director created based on his 2019 gangster crime comedy, is clearly impressing people.
That includes Paramount, which is looking to the filmmaker to lead the creative team on a new series that loosely adapts Liev Schreiber drama ‘Ray Donovan’, which began on Showtime in 2013, ran for seven seasons and was finished via TV movie ‘Ray Donovan: The Movie’ in 2022.
Ritchie will be the main director and executive producer on the new series, which has been written by ‘Top Boy’ creator Ronan Bennett.
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What was ‘Ray Donovan’ about?
Liev Schreiber as Raymond “Ray” Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan.’ Photo: Jeff Neumann/Showtime.
Created by Ann Biderman, the original series starred Schreiber as the title character, a tough nut fixer in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous. Ray does the dirty work for LA’s top power players as the go-to guy who makes the problems of the city’s celebrities, superstar athletes, and business moguls disappear.
But the problems he can’t solve are his own and his family’s, especially when his violent father Mickey (Jon Voight) is released from prison. The show also starred Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok and Kerris Dorsey.
From the sounds of it, the new series will be along the lines of ‘The Gentlemen’ in connective tissue to the source material, i.e. taking place in a similar world, but not featuring the same characters.
In fact the new show –– which has Bennett scripting the first season of 10 episodes –– will relocate the idea to the UK.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“With the most powerful clients in Europe, ‘The Donovans’ will see family fortunes and reputations at risk, odd alliances unfold, and betrayal around every corner. And while the family might be London’s most elite fixers today, the nature of their business means there is no guarantee what’s in store tomorrow.”
This is what Bennett had to say about the new project:
“We’re going to deliver a show which provides massive thrills, entertainment and a huge rush of adrenaline for audiences around the world. At the same time, I’m totally focused on exploring real characters, in body and in soul, and I’m committed to writing stories with deep dramatic impact. We’re going to get under the skin of the criminal underworld, in a way which will show you the bone-deep truths of how they live and how it sometimes will — inevitably — impact on our own lives.”
When will ‘The Donovans’ be on screens?
The most surprising part of this story is that the show will apparently be ready to launch on Paramount+ with Showtime later this year.
Which means Ritchie has a film (‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’, on screens in April) and two TV series all out in the same year. Presumably he has given up on the concept of sleep…
Liev Schreiber as Raymond “Ray” Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan.’ Photo: Showtime.
The Paramount+ ‘Knuckles’ series has a new trailer.
The ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ spin-off features Idris Elba as the voice of the title character.
‘Knuckles’ starts streaming on April 26th.
With the success of 2020’s ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ and 2022 sequel ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ (a combined box office haul of $725.2 million so far) Paramount is naturally looking to keep the speedy cash train running.
A third ‘Sonic’ movie outing is due in theaters on December 20th (and recently confirmed the return of Jim Carrey as the scheming Dr. Robotnik), but for young fans of the franchise who don’t want to wait that long, there is another ‘Sonic’-based story on its way.
‘Knuckles’, a series for Paramount+ that focuses on the warrior echidna voiced by Idris Elba, has been in the works for a while and has a new trailer online, with a Super Bowl spot to follow at the weekend.
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What’s the story of ‘Knuckles’?
Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.
The new live-action event series follows Knuckles (Elba) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade (Adam Pally) as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.
We can also see that Knuckles will come under threat from a new set of baddies, who seem bent on stealing his powers.
‘Knuckles’ will take place between the events of the second and third ‘Sonic’ movies.
(L to R) Scott Mescudi as Agent Mason and Ellie Taylor as Agent Willoughby in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.
And returning from the movie cast are Ben Schwartz, who reprises his role as Sonic, as well as special guest star Tika Sumpter, as Maddie. Colleen O’Shaughnessey will also return as a special guest star in her role as Tails.
Who is making ‘Knuckles’?
Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.
The series’ creative team includes the movies’ director Jeff Fowler, who handled the pilot episode and helped transition the film’s signature cinematic animation style to television. Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker.
The series was created for television by John Whittington and showrunner Toby Ascher. Whittington wrote the second movie, serves as head writer and wrote the pilot for the series. Additional writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.
When will ‘Knuckles’ be on screens?
All six episodes of ‘Knuckles’ will land on Paramount+ on April 26th.
A still from ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Mac (voiced by Christopher Lloyd) in ‘Knuckles’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Adam Pally as Wade Whipple and Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) in ‘Knuckles’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Stockard Channing as Wendy Whipple, ‘Knuckles’ (voiced by Idris Elba) and Edi Patterson as Wanda Whipple in Knuckles streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Tika Sumpter as Maddie, Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Daniel Singh as Cattleprod Bounty Hunter in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Rory McCann as The Buyer in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Scott Mescudi as Agent Mason and Ellie Taylor as Agent Willoughby in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Julian Barratt as Jack Sinclair in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Adam Pally as Wade Whipple in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.(L to R) Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, Alice Tregonning as Susie, Cary Elwes as Pistol Pete Whipple and Owen Warren as Pete’s Bowling Partner in ‘Knuckles’, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.Adam Pally as Wade Whipple in ‘Knuckles,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Sega/Paramount+.
(L to R) Henry Golding as Hu and Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom in ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
Launching on Paramount+ February 2nd, ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ represents a solid dose of forward momentum for the portrayal of Chinese mythology on screen for more general audiences.
It’s a shame, though, that the film –– which we’d recommend for its entertaining voice cast more than anything in the script itself –– is an entertaining enough romp for younger audiences but seems unlikely to come across as anything other than second tier when truly boundary-pushing animation exists.
Does ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ Earn its Stripes?
(L to R) Henry Golding as Hu and Sandra Oh as Mistral in ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
In development for a long time, and handed off between different filmmakers, ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ has been on one of those journeys where you have to wonder if something happened to it along the way. It was, at one point, being considered as a theatrical release, but is now arriving direct to streaming.
There is less of a negative aura about such shifts these days, in a time when there are truly superb streaming shows and movies, but it’s tough to discount the idea that the finished product here just doesn’t scream “theatrical release”. The animation, while certainly competent, can be a little jerky with its human characters in particular (one scene, a vision for the main character, is much more aesthetically pleasing) and the storyline, as we’ll dig into, is a reheated offering of something we’ve seen many times before.
‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’: Script and Direction
Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom in ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
Perhaps the biggest issue with ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ is in its basic structure. Though some stories are trotted out time and again because they’ve proven to work, here you can really feel that the authentic ethnic detailing layered over the exceedingly basic skeleton doesn’t quite cover the seen-it-before aspect at its core.
Adapted from the young adult novel by Laurence Yep by David Magee (an Oscar nominee for his work on ‘Life of Pi’) and Christopher Yost (a veteran of Marvel movies and who you suspect provided much of the quippiness on display here), the script has its moments, but struggles to overcome the notion that you’re watching the 534th take on material that the likes of ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Percy Jackson’ and any number of other, better examples have tackled.
The young target audience, of course, likely won’t mind too much, enjoying the colorful, jokey characters and the rising stakes. But anyone who has seen a movie of this sort will soon find themselves making a mental checklist of what to expect –– the wise mentor (in this case, a grandmother who loses her life to the main villain), the grouchy new guide, the wide-eyed kid who had no idea he possessed magic powers, the goofy sidekick, the noble sidekick, the baddie with an all-purpose idea to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth and rule the darkness that follows, etc., etc.
Directors Raman Hui, Paul Watling and Yong Duk Jhun do manage to give the movie a grounding in Chinese zodiac beliefs and an authentic feeling of being set in San Francisco (though sometimes falling into bland, generic traps such as having main character Tom attend “San Francisco High School”). As mentioned, the animation style is more serviceable than truly impressive and while not everything can be at the ‘Spider-Verse’ level, these days you do wish more movies would try (it’s a reason we enjoyed ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’).
‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’: Performances
(L to R) Sherry Cola as Naomi, Sandra Oh as Mistral, Bowen Yang as Sidney, Henry Golding as Hu and Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom in ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
If there’s a real saving grace here, it’s the appealing, funny and emotional performances of the voice cast. Though it seems every film (and TV show; witness ‘The Brothers Sun’) with Chinese characters is contractually obliged to include Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, she does at least give the underwritten villain role some gravitas.
As Tom, the young man who discovers he has a magical legacy, Brendan Soo Hoo is an appealing personality who sparks well off the rest of the cast. Henry Golding, meanwhile, is somewhat saddled with the standard grouchy-yet-heroic character of Hu, the Tiger who takes Tom under his wing –– er, paw? –– when the lad’s grandmother gives her life to protect him. In terms of character design, he’s like a kid-friendly Wolverine, even down to the muttonchops when in human form.
Elsewhere, the basic scripting is helped by a great ensemble that includes the likes of Sandra Oh, Sherry Cola and Bowen Yang, who bring the lines to life and work well against both Golding and Hoo.
‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’: Final Thoughts
(L to R) Henry Golding as Hu, Sandra Oh as Mistral, Sherry Cola as Naomi and Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom in The ‘Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
Definitely one for the younger crowd, and unlikely to inspire much faith from older audiences, ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ is a mildly diverting animated adventure whose welcome diversity can’t disguise the well-used tropes and narrative at its center.
A fun cast certainly helps, but we’re not sure we see this one launching a franchise any time soon.
‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’?
Based on the popular children’s book series of the same name by Laurence Yep, the movie follows Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo), whose life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians.
With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu (Henry Golding), Tom trains to take on Loo (Michelle Yeoh), a force that is as powerful as a Guardian but with evil intentions to use magic to destroy humanity. To have a fighting chance against Loo, Tom must reunite all twelve Zodiac animal warriors and master his own newly discovered powers.
(L to R) Diana Lee Inosanto as Horse, Poppy Liu as Snake, Greta Lee as Rabbit, Jo Koy as Rooster, Henry Golding as Hu, Patrick Gallagher as Dog, Deborah S. Craig as Pig, Sherry Cola as Naomi and Sandra Oh as Mistral in ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik is back for ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’.
Jeff Fowler is directing the new movie.
The film is due in December.
At the end of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ it –– spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie –– appeared that Jim Carrey’s cackling, scheming Dr. Robotnik had fallen to his death.
But as post-credit sting, however, it is revealed (again, spoiler alert) that Robotnik’s body is nowhere to be found and he’s actually potentially alive.
A new, tiny social media teaser for the third movie adapted from the video game franchise reveals that he is indeed back, as also reported by Variety.
You all thought I was gone, but I’ve just been underground. What you’ve seen from me is only a #shadow of things to come… pic.twitter.com/3W9Rh728Tt
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Nothing has been officially released about the story for the new ‘Sonic’ movie, though we can predict more speedy behavior from the main character and a fresh devious scheme from Robotnik (also, mugging –– it is Jim Carrey, after all).
How James Marsden’s Tom Wachowski figures in this time remains to be seen, and we’ll also see the return of Sonic’s fellow CG creations Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey).
Rumors have suggested a potential trip through time and the film’s social media account kicked off the start of shoot with a teaser for Shadow the Hedgehog, who is a mysterious hedgehog associated with a secret government experiment called Project Shadow. He was obliquely referenced at the end of the second movie.
(L to R) Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’ from Paramount Pictures and Sega.
Jeff Fowler is once again directing the third movie, having handled the first two, with the script from regular writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller.
Neal H. Moritz is producing this one, as he has the others.
Carrey’s presence is a little surprising, since he said around the time of the second movie that he was effectively retiring from acting. But we suppose the sheer joy (or possibly an RV filled with cash) tempted him back.
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What else is planned for the Sonic the Hedgehog universe?
Jim Carrey and Knuckles (Idris Elba) in ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’ from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.
With the success of the first two films, Paramount has naturally begun to try and build out a ‘Sonic’ universe, with a series based around the Knuckles character (with Elba back to voice him) already in the works.
In the show, Knuckles the Echidna teaches deputy Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) the techniques of the Echidna warrior. ‘Sonic’s fellow live-action actor Tika Sumpter is also aboard alongside the likes of Christopher Lloyd, Cary Elwes and Kid Cudi.
Omari Hardwick and Sam Richardson are joining the cast.
The movie will stream on Paramount+.
For the past few years, the ‘Star Trek’ TV series have been flying the flag for the venerable sci-fi franchise as the big screen adventures have been stymied in cinematic development drydock (yet another example was announced recently).
But, while it won’t be warping into movie theaters, the small screen ‘Trek’ universe has spawned its own movie, based on the further adventures of Emperor Philippa Georgiou, as played to winning effect by Michelle Yeoh in the first season of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou on Paramount+’s ‘Star Trek: Discovery.’
Yeoh’s Captain Phillipa Georgiou was a powerful presence… at least (spoiler alert if you’ve somehow not caught up on the first episode of ‘Discovery’, which screened in 2017) until she died at the hands (and blade) of a Klingon warrior.
Yet that was not the end for Yeoh’s story –– a trip to the Mirror Universe (established all the way back in the 1960s original ‘Star Trek’) revealed that there was another Georgiou –– and she was Emperor of the cruel Terran Empire. She eventually ended up helping our heroes, and in a deleted scene, was approached by a member of the stealthy organization Section 31.
Originally developed as a series, the concept was instead announced as a movie last April. The basic synopsis for the movie reads: “Georgiou joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.”
What is Section 31?
Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou of the CBS All Access series ‘Star Trek: Discovery.’ Photo: Russ Martin/CBS All Access 2017 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
First introduced in ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, Section 31 was an organization which claimed to protect the security interests of United Earth and, later, the United Federation of Planets. During the mid-23rd century, they were considered a critical division of Starfleet Intelligence, while by the 24th century, they were believed to be a rogue organization not considered part of the Federation but were in fact still part of Starfleet Intelligence.
Craig Sweeny is writing the script, with ‘Discovery’ veteran Olatunde Osunsanmi directing.
Here’s what executive producer Alex Kurtzman had to say about the movie kicking off:
“And we’re off to the races! Thrilled to report principal photography has started on ‘Star Trek: Section 31’. We welcome our incredible cast of new characters as they join our beloved Michelle Yeoh on her next wild adventure across the ‘Trek’ universe.”
When will the new ‘Star Trek’ movie be streaming?
While we know the movie will premiere on Paramount+, but there is no confirmed release date yet.
